World Radiography Day: Types, Purpose And Procedure Of X-ray Imaging

World Radiography Day is celebrated every year on 8 November to mark the invention of X-ray by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. X-ray is one of the common imaging tests suggested by a medical expert to get a view of the internal body parts in a non-invasive way. The procedure helps to diagnose certain medical conditions and defects like infection, breakage, swelling and others.

To carry out the X-ray, a medical expert sends X-ray beams through the patient's body and record the result in the form of images on a fluorescent screen. ^[1]

When the X-ray beams pass through the body, they get absorbed by different parts depending on its density. For example, muscles or fat will show up in grey, bones (or any dense material) will show up in white and air (especially in the lungs) will be seen in black colour. Likewise, any defect in the body part is diagnosed with the help of an X-ray.

Types Of X-ray Imaging

X-ray examination is carried out in different forms depending on the medical condition of an individual.

• Fluoroscopy: Mainly used to see the movement of the body part like a heartbeat, digestive process or clogged arteries ^[2]
• Mammography: To detect signs of breast cancer ^[3]
• Computed tomography (CT) scans: This is done to detect injuries related to the brain, tumours and abnormalities of blood vessels. Here, images from different body angles are taken and combined in a computer to create a detailed cross-sectional view. ^[4]

Purpose Of X-ray Imaging

X-ray is used to identify a defect in body parts, especially in diagnosing medical conditions like the following:

• Bone-related issues like osteoporosis, arthritis or bone fractures ^[1]
• Problems related to cavities or tooth decay
• Tumours of the bones ^[5]
• Lung infection, lung cancer and tuberculosis
• Gastrointestinal problems ^[6]
• Breast cancer ^[3]
• Kidney stones ^[7]
• An enlarged heart or blood flow in the heart
• Swallowed objects and many more. ^[8]

Why Is X-ray Imaging Test Popular?

• When compared to other tests, it has no or minimal side effects.
• The X-ray process does not take much time.
• The electromagnetic radiation does not remain in the patient's body once the X-ray imaging is completed.
• It is widely available in all hospitals, clinics, ambulances and nursing homes as it is inexpensive.
• It is the easiest and painless way to diagnose an underlying medical condition.

How Is X-ray Imaging Performed?

The procedure for X-ray examination involves the following steps:

• An X-ray expert may ask you first to remove clothing or any jewellery placed in the body part which is to be examined. ^[9]
• Then they will tell you the position in which you have to lie down so that the affected body part can completely come in contact with the X-ray beam.
• If the X-ray needs to be performed in the lower body part (near the reproductive organs), they will cover them with a lead apron as it stops all the electromagnetic beams and does not harm the sensitive organs. ^[10]
• They may ask you to hold the breath to get a clear image as breathing may cause the image to be blurry.
• When the X-ray needs to be performed with a contrast agent, the medical expert will give you the instructions beforehand so that you can come prepared.
• If a contrast agent is injected, first they will observe the patient for any possible side effects (like itching, nausea) and then carry out the imaging process. ^[11]
• After the procedure, the doctor will check your report and accordingly order for additional tests or suggest medications.